Cllr Edwards and Martin Salter with the petition for the shop earlier this month

A much-loved Southcote off-licence due to serve its last customer tomorrow has been granted a stay of execution following protests by the community.

A thousand angry customers put their names to a petition to keep The Local in Coronation Square open, as they were furious the shop – dubbed the “hub of the community” – would close due to lack of profit and higher rents.

But yesterday store bosses revealed that although it would stay open for now, the site has been earmarked for redevelopment, which is likely to force the business to close in the future.

Staff were told on Tuesday night the shop, which also provides a vital Paypoint facility where people can pay their bills, would be staying open for the time being.

A statement from Thresher Group, which owns the shop, said: “In response to great popular demand, the decision was taken to keep The Local open despite its challenging financial performance.

“We recognise that The Local is an important neighbourhood amenity and our staff will continue to serve the community with high standards.

“However, the lease for the property has expired and we have been informed by the landlord the site is to be redeveloped.

“This matter, which is completely out of our control, makes it likely that The Local will close at some point in the future but we do not know timings yet. In the event of closure, we will of course work with staff to redeploy wherever possible.”

Southcote Labour councillors Deborah Edwards, Pete Ruhemann and John Ennis joined Reading West MP Martin Salter in campaigning for the shop to stay open.

Mrs Edwards said: “This is a real testament to the dedicated action taken by the residents with their MP and all their councillors to actually achieve what seemed to be the impossible.

“The staff are really keen to keep this much-needed community facility open and the decision has really boosted the morale of the area.”

Mr Salter added: “I’m delighted for my constituents in Southcote. It’s a real victory for people power and I’m pleased that Threshers has taken the good grace to listen to their customers and also to their loyal and hard working staff.”

Although the off licence will no longer be closing this week, the decision is not yet a permanent one.

Councillor Pete Ruhemann said: “We are obviously delighted the campaign has paid off. But we now need to work to secure a local off-licence long-term.”

Gainsborough Road resident and regular customer Chris White, 57, said: “This is one up for the people of Southcote. Our community’s being torn apart, with the pub closing and shops under threat. This is the hub of the community and it’s only the right thing it stays open.

“We need this place. A lot of people wrote a lot of letters about the closure – it’s not just one or two people who wanted to keep it open. A lot of people in the community worked hard on this and they deserve a mention.”